EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: September 20, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
BY: Jay Farr, Maintenance Division Manager
Humza Javed, City Engineer
SUBJECT: West Coast Arborists Contract Amendment for $50,000 - Public Trees Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution approving a contract amendment with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for an additional amount of $50,000 for tree maintenance services, for a total contract amount of $150,000.
Alignment with City Council Strategic Plan
This recommendation is primarily aligned with:
Priority No. 3: Increase Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency Priority No. 6: Create a Healthy and Safe Community
Background
During the FY 22/23 budget discussion, the City Council approved an additional $50,000 for public tree maintenance and pruning services. This increase is consistent with City Council direction Resolution 77-2022.
Analysis
According to Urban Forestry Master Plan that was adopted on April 19, 2022 the budget of $150,000 should be allocated annually for tree pruning and removal contract services.
Based on the existing tree inventory from 2013 and the current pruning costs for grid pruning, the project team estimates that moving to a 7-year grid pruning cycle would be require an annual budget allocation of $120,000. This would include contract pruning and an additional $30,000 for emergencies/ out-of-cycle pruning.
The contractor hired to conduct grid pruning can also update tree inventory information as part of the scope of work, and provide the City with an up-to-date inventory of all public trees, as recommended by the Urbon Forestry Master plan.
Fiscal Impact
The current contract with West Coast Arborists for tree pruning services is not to exceed $100,000 annually. With additional amount of $50,000, the total annual contract amount would be a not to exceed amount of $150,000.
The amount of $150,000 is budgeted in the Public Works Maintenance Division FY 22/23 operational budget from City’s General Fund.
Public Notice
The public was provided notice of this agenda item by posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official bulletin board outside City Hall and making the agenda and report available at the City’s website and at the San Mateo County Library located at 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto.
Environmental
The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” pursuant to 15378(b)(4) because it is a fiscal activity which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant impact on the environment.
Attachments
A. Increase Contract amount of $50,000 with West Coast Arborist